The 2017 World AIDS Campaign/ World AIDS Day launch took a different turn when the Minister of Health, Honourable Sibongile Ndlela-Simelane launched the campaign at the Hope House in Manzini on Monday, October 31.
Honourable Ndlela-Simelane expressed her gratefulness to the WAC organising committee for their innovative approach of focussing services to the people. Indeed, there could have been no better place to launch the campaign with a difference, that will culminate in the national commemoration of World AIDS Day (WAD).
Hope House is a care-home for terminally ill patients, including those with HIV and AIDS-related illnesses,that was initiated by the late Catholic Bishop, Ncamiso Ndlovu in 2001 – as part of the church’s CARITAS programme.
The centre, which has been receiving government subvention since 2014, serves as a half-way house between hospital and home for those in need. Services provided include psychosocial and spiritual services, which are offered through the provision of a quiet environment, palliative care, dietary advice, counselling and Christian companionship.
‘Likhaya Lematsemba’ as it is known, indeed offers hope for many a terminally ill patient as they battle through disease.
The minister stated that launching WAC/WAD 2017 at Hope House instead of a hotel (as has been the case in previous years) ensures that the AIDS commemoration event embraces and responds to the needs of communities.